BMW 535D Problems by Year
NHTSA has 73 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file for the BMW 535D, across 3 model years (2014–2016). The 2014 model year has the most complaints (58). The most reported problem area overall is engine.
BMW 535D years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No 535D model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2014 535D: 58 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2016 535D: 9 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2015 535D: 6 complaints, 3 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common BMW 535D problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 34 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 23 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 13 | 3 | 0 |
| Power Train | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All BMW 535D model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 535D | 9 | 5 | — | Engine | |
| 2015 535D | 6 | 3 | — | Engine | |
| 2014 535D | 58 | 4 | — | Engine |
More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 535D years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2014 (58), 2016 (9), 2015 (6). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the BMW 535D?
Engine, with 34 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the BMW 535D have?
6 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.